Venetian blind



April 14, 193.6;

L. R. ROBERTS VENETIAN BLIND Fil ed April 23, 1934 Mil r2655:

April 1 4 1933.

' L. R, ROBERTS VENETIAN BLIND Filed April 23, 19:54

s Sheets-Sheet 2 frzz/zzl ar lee E fltzerfs Patented Apr. 14, 1936 l 7 l UNITED" STATES" PATENT/Q o ICE and mesne assignments, to himself and Frank Kemptncr,'0hica'g'o,3lll. 1

Application April 23, 1934, Serial No. 121,927 23 Claims. (Cl. 15617)' This invention relates to window blinds or sundry details hereinafter referred to and parshades,,and particularly to devices of the charac-, ticularly pointed out in the appended claims, ter described, commonly known as Venetian One embodimentof the invention isshown for blinds", wherein a plurality of slats are flexibly illustrative purposesin the accompanying draw- I connected together in a manner to permit of ings, in which I their being positioned closely together in inoper- Fig. 1 is an 'elevational viewv of my improved ative position, or spaced bodily a substantial disblind construction, illustrating its application to tance relatively to each other in operative posian-opening in a wall, such, for example, as a tion and capable of being tilted at substantially window or the like;

W uniform angles. J v V Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional ele- One object of the present invention is topro-1 vational view taken substantially as indicated by vide a device of the character described, wherein theline 2-2 of Fig. 1;. I the slats are successively moved into operative Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional position adjacent the lower portionof therdevice', elevational view of a portion of the structure and wherein the slats are successivelymoyed into illustrated in Fig. 2, and showing various parts 15 inoperative position adjacent the upper portion thereof in changed or tilted position; I of th de i l A Fig, 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional Anothercbject of-the invention is to provide elevationalyiew of a portion of the structure a device'of the character described, wherein the illustrated in Fig. 1, and taken substantially as slats when in inoperative position, are supported indicated by the line 44 thereof; and retained in a group adjacent the, upper Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional portion of the device. and wherein the lowermost elevational view of a portion of the structure slats of the group may be moved successively illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and taken substanfrom the lower side of the group into operative tially as indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig.2; position adjacent the lower portion of the device; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plansectlonal view of Another object of the invention is to provide the structure illustrated in Fig. 5, and taken ,a device of the character described having spacubstanti l y as indicated b the e -6 t ereing means. and wherein the slats are provided Of; with automatically actuated means cooperable F g- 7 is a plan sectional View of a portion of 0 with the spacing means for spacing the slats lonthe structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and git'udinally thereof and with respect to each taken substantially as indicated by h line 1- other in operative position. of Fig. l; I

Another object of the inventionu-isto rovide F 8 is n lar l v lonal' view of a M a device of the character described, wherein the portion f the Structure illustrated in 1 automatically actuated means on the, respective Showing the Construction and relationship of l t 5 slats are cooperable with supporting means on pp means forming a P Of e Present adjacent slats and with the spacing means for invention;

supporting the slats closely, adjacent each other 9 is a fragmentary tra sv rs t ona clevational view taken substantially as indicated in inoperative position. o v 40 Another object of the invention isto provide pe n of F 8; 1

novel supporting and spacing means for the 10 a fragmentary plan sectional siais. I taken substantially as indicated by the line Another object of the invention istov provide Figl l i ditzgl ectional view showing means i .n]. t A s A 40 if s gg fol m g the t and dpvice for mount ng the slats in my improved blind conr in. I

Another ob ect of the invention is" to provide St f gg 1, 2 and 7 ofthe drawings the present 33 for :Qi fl m fm invention is shown applied to a window casing, or sonneny vertical au nment when in elthei P- the like, indicated as a wholeby the numeral l5, @mtwe mOPBmi-WQ m a and having a top portion l5 andside portions ll.

A furthcl 0113893 O the v ion isjto DI'O- Mounted adjacent the respective side portions no el meal-i for conveniently mountinglthe I! f th gaging 15 e a pair of guide members slats for operation in the device. l8, and mounted adjacent the upper end of the A slill further object of the invention is to casing l5 at opposite sides thereof, and secured improve devices ofthe character described in preferably to the top portion 16 by means of 55 screws l8 are a pair of supporting hangers each indicated as a whole by the numerals 2| and 22, respectively, the hangers 2| and 22 being provided, respectively, with side portions 23 and 24, adapted to engage a portion 25 of the guide members |8 to assist in maintaining the hangers2| and 22 in substantially vertical position.

The respective hangers 2| and 22 are also provided with inwardly extending hollow trunnionsouter end portion of the shaft 34 being shown in the present instance as mounted in, and 'secured against rotation with respect to the bearing member 32; l

Rotatably mounted adjacent thelongitudin side portions of the supporting frame 28 at opposite sides of the roller 3| are a plurality of guide rollers 35, and pivotally mounted on the axes of the respective guide rollers are a plu-' rality of tape guides 36 adapted to hang down-" wardly from the longitudinal edge portions of the supporting frame 28 andto be pivotally movable relatively thereto.

Wound on and connected at their ends to the spring roller 3|, and extending laterally therefrom at opposite sides thereof, are a plurality of flexible supporting tapes,31 having spaced recesses.38 formed-iaone of their respective edge portions, the said tapes being trained over the guide rollers 35 and through the downwardly extending tape guides 36, and lower ends of the supporting tapes being flexibly connected by means of staples 39 to the opposite longitudinal edge portions of an actuating bar 4|, to whic may be connected a pull string 42.

Mounted on and relatively movable with respect to the supporting tapes 31 are a plurality of brackets, each indicated as a whole'by the numeral 43, I and pivotally connected to the brackets 43 by means of inwardly extending trunnions 44 are a plurality of flexible strips 45 (Figs; 2, 3, 10 and'll) extending between pairs of brackets at opposite sides of the device, and having upwardly extending inturned end portions 46 adapted to receive slats 41 in a manner to support the slats on, andin pivotedrelation with respect to the'various pairs of brackets 43 at the opposite sides of the blind.

All of the brackets 43 and their associated parts are of substantially identical construction, and by reference to Figs. 8, 9 and 10 it will be apparent that the bracket 43 illustrated therein comprises a casting, or the like, having a vertically disposed open ended slot 48 adapted to slidably receive the tape 31 in a manner to position the recesses 38 thereof adjacent an open end of the slot.

Pivotally mounted, preferably intermediate its end portions, on a trunnion 49 carried by the bracket 43 is an arm, indicated as a whole by the numeral and extending laterally therefrom adjacent one of its end portions is a connecting pin 52 and a trip pin 53, the connecting pin 52 being adapted to engage the spaced recesses 38 formed in the marginal edge of the tape 31 in a manner to position and support the bracket 43 thereon, the bracket being cut away as indicated at 43a to permit of the engagement, while the connecting pin 52 is normally urged toward the recessed edge of the tape 31 by suitable means, shown, in the present instance, as a .ofthe'brackets 43 and the tape guides 38, are

provided with downwardly extending trip lugs 55 having notches 56 formed therein adapted to receive the connecting pins 52 when withdrawn from the recesses 38, it being the function of the trip lugs 55, when a subjacent bracket 43 is moved in an upward direction with reference to the lug, to engage the trip pin 53 in a manner to rock the arm 5|' about its pivotal connection on the trunnion 49, thereby moving the connecting pin 52 out'of the recess 38 of the tape 31 and into the notch 56in a manner to cause the connecting pin 52' to rest on the upper side of the lug 55 and support the subjacent bracket thereon when the brackets 43 and slats 41 are assembled in a group adjacent the upper portion of the device, in which .position the weighted end portions 54 of the arms 5| will have been moved into their uppermost position by means of a neck'po'rtion 51 forming a part of the brackets It will be observed from the foregoing description that when the recessed tapes are fully wound on the spring roller 3|, that the brackets 43 and slats 41 mounted thereon will be assembled adjacent'the upper portion of the device and supported in grouped position by the main supporting frame 28 and hangers 35 mounted thereon by reason of the connecting pins. 52 of the respective arms 5| resting on the trip lugs 55 of a superposed bracket 43 or tape guide 38, the connecting pin 52 of the lowermost bracket being supported on a superposed trip lug 55 and being urged against an unrecessed portion of the tape by the'weighted end portion 54 of the arm as ofxthe superposed bracket, in a manner to. be

supportedby the tapes, and the lowermost brackets-and slat connected thereto will be separated from the group adjacent the upper portion of the device and moved downwardly with the downward movement of the tapes, and that as the succeeding recesses 38 are brought successively into register withthe connecting pins 52 of the next lowermostbrackets, the brackets 43 and slats 41 connected thereto will be successively removed from the group and positioned in spaced relation 'along the tapes 31, as clearly shown in the lower portions'of Figs. 1 and thus. it will be observed that by the construction and arrangement shown and described, the slats 41 and their respective brackets 43 are supported and retained in a group in inoperative juxtaposition adjacent the upper portion of the device, and that by reason ofthe relationship of the connecting pins 52 on the arms ii of the respective brackets 43 and the spaced recesses 38 formed in the edge portions of the respective tapes 31, the lowermost slats and brackets arermoved successively from the group and into spaced operative position adjacent the lower portion of the device as the tapes 31 are drawn from the roller 3|.

For tilting theslats to inclined position,; as illustrated in Fig. 3, suitable means are provided, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, the said means being shown, in the present instance, as

adrum and cable connection operatively related to the sheave 29.

By reference to'Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6 and '7, it will be noted that the bracket 22 is provided with va laterally extending bearing member 58 having upper and lower ear portions 55 and SI, respectively, inwhich is rotatably and slidably mounted a square shaft 62 and slidably mounted on the square shaft 62 in a manner to 'rotatetherewith is a cable'drum. 63 having a cable 64 wound thereon and adapted to extend around the sheave 29 in a manner to rotate the sheaveand main supporting frame 28 connected thereto when the square shaft 62 and drum 63 are rotated by means of a downwardly extending manually actuated rotatable rod 65 having a hand grip or the like (not shown) securedto its lower end portions; and flexibly connected at 66 to ahead 61 formed on the lower end portion of fthersquare shaft 62,

the end portions of the cable being connected to the drum 63 in such a manner that when the drum is rotated, one portion of the cable will be I upper'ear portion 59 of the bearing member 58 and a collar 12 secured to the upper end of the square shaft 62, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

It will be apparent from such a construction, that when the head 61 and shaft 62 are drawn downwardly by apullon the rod 65, the dogs 69 will be withdrawn from the apertures 68 formed in the lower ear portion 6|, thereby permitting the rod head 61, square shaft 62 and drum 63 to be rotatedin a manner to rotate the sheave 29 by reason of its connection with the cable 64, thereby tilting the main supporting frame 28 and slats 41. by reason'of their connection with the tapes 31, to an inclined position as shown in Fig. 3, and upon releasing the downward pull on the hand rod 65, the dogs 69 will be moved into a pair of the apertures 68 and, retained therein by the action of the spring 1| to secure the shaft 62 and drum 63 against rotation, and maintain the slats 41 inthe desired position of angular or inclined adjustment.

For maintaining the slats 41 in substantially vertical alignment with respect to eachother, whether in operative or inoperative position, the actuating bar 4| and slats 41 are provided adjacent their opposite ends with outwardly extending reduced portions 13 adapted to engage vertically disposed slots 14 1'ormedin the guide members. l8 secured to the side portions 11 of the casing 15. 1

If desired, a dust shield 15 may be mounted on the supporting frame 2111118, manner to cover the roller 3|,bearingstherefor and tapes, 31 wound thereon, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3and4. I 1

It .will be observedj from the foregoing description, thatthe presentinvention provides a novel construction and arrangement wherein the slats are supported and retained in inoperative position in a group adjacent the upper portion of the device, and whereimthe'lowermostslats of the group are removed successivelyifrom the lower side thereof by automatically I'factuated means mounted on the brackets 43 and operatively ielatedto the. recesses 33 offthetapes 31, and thatthe slats are 'suppor'tediin spaced operative position adjacent, theflowe'r. portion of the device. It will be observed also that the present invention provides novel means" for tilting and retaining the slats in various desired positions of' inclined adjustment. r

Obviously, the presentinventlon is not limited to the precise construction and" arrangement shown and described, as the same may be varif o'usly modified. Moreover, all of the features of the presentinvention needno't be used conjointly, as the same may be used to advantage in variously different combinations. and subcombinations. What I claim 1 as new Letters Patent is: i

1. In a deviceof the class described, slat supporting means windable on a roller, said supporting means having spacingfflmeans associated therewith, a pim'ality of slats; brackets connected to said slats and relativelyfmovablejwith respect to said supporting means. and means carried byv said brackets. and cooperable 1 with the spacing means and said supporting means for'supporting the brackets and "slats on and in spaced relation longitudinallyof said supporting means.

2. In a' device of the class described, slat supporting meanswindable on a'roller, said sup-v porting means having spaced cut -away portions formed therein, a plurality of slats, brackets connected to said slats and 'relativelyjmovable with respect to said supporting means; and connecting means carried by said brackets and cooperable with the respectivefcut-away portions of said supporting means for, supporting, the brackets and slats on and in spaced relation longitudinally of said supporting means.

3. In a device of the class described, a plurality of slat supporting tapes windable on a roller, said tapes having a plurality of spaced recesses formed therein, a plurality of slats, aplurality ofbrackets' connected to the respective slats and relatively movable with respect to said, supporting tapes, and means pivotally mounted on said brackets and cooperable with the respective recesses for supporting the bracket'sand slatsfin spaced relation longitudinally of said tapes.

4. In a device of the class described, a plurality of slat supporting tapes windable on a roller, said tapes having a plurality of spaced recesses formed therein, a plurality of slats, a plurality of brackets carried by the respective slats and relatively movable with respect tosaid supporting tapes, and connecting means mounted on sa d brackets and cperativcly related to therespective recesses forv connecting the brackets to said tapes and supporting the brackets thereon in spaced relation longitudinally thereof, and means on the respec-.

d desireto cover by tive brackets and operatively related to the connecting means on adjacent brackets for disconnecting the brackets from the tapes and supporting adjacent brackets in juxtaposition;

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, a roller rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of slat supporting tapes wound on said roller, a plurality of tape guides mounted on said'frame, said tapes having a plurality of spaced recesses formed therein, a plurality of slats, a pluralityof brackets carried by the respective slats and relatively movable with respect to said supporting tapes, and connecting means pivotally mounted on said brackets and operatively related to the respective recesses formed'in saidt ape's for connecting the brackets to the tapes and supporting the brackets thereon in spaced relation longitudinally thereof, and means mounted on saidtape guides and the respective brackets and operatively related to the connecting means on adjacent brackets for disconnecting the brackets from the tapes and supporting adjacent brackets in juxtaposition adjacent the upper portion of the device.

6. In a device "of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame," a roller rotatably mounted thereon, aplurality of slat supporting tapes having a plurality of spaced recesses formed therein wound on said roller, a plurality of tape guides mounted on said frame, a plurality of slats, a pluralityv of ,bra ckets carried by the re spective slats, supporting means on said tape guides and brackets, and connecting means on said brackets cooperable. with said supporting means and said tapes for supporting and retaining the brackets-and slatsin a group in juxtaposition adjacent the 'upper; portion of the device, said connecting means being adapted to bereceived by the respective recesses formed in the respective tapes for moving the lowermost slats successively from the group and into spaced po-, sition adjacent the lower portion" of the device as the tapes are drawn from said rolle z' 7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, a roller rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of slat supporting tapes having a plurality of spaced recesses formed therein wound on sa d roller, a plurality of tape guides mounted en said frame, a plurality of superposed slats,'a plurality of brackets carried by the respective slats, supporting means on said tape guides and brackets, connecting means on said brackets cooperable with said supporting means and said tapes for supporting and retaining the brackets and slats in a group in inoperative juxtaposition adjacent the upper portion of the device, said connecting means being adapted to be received by the respective recesses formed a in the respective tapes for moving the lowermost slats successively from the group and into spaced operative position adjacent the lower portion of the device as the tapes are drawn from said rollers. and means for urging said connecting means toward said tapes. I a

8. In a device ofithe class described, thecombination of a supporting frame, a roller rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of slat supporting tapes having a plurality of spaced recesses formed in one of their edge portions wound on said roller, a plurality of tape guides mounted on said frame, a plurality of superposed slats, a. plurality of brackets secured to the edge portions of the respective sin-"2;, supporting means on said tape' guides and brackets, connecting means pivotally mounted on said brackets and cooperable with said supporting means and said tapes forsupporting and retaining the brackets and slats in a group in inoperative juxtaposition adjacent the upper portion of the device, said connecting means being adapted to be received by the respective recesses formed in the edge portions of the respective tapes for moving the lowermost slats successively from the group and into spaced operative position adjacent the lower portion of the device as the tapes are drawn from the roller, and means for urging said connecting means toward the recessed edges of said tapes.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tiltable supporting frame, a roller rotatably'mounted thereon, a plurality of slat supporting tapes having a plurality of spaced recesses formed in one of their edge portions wound on said roller, a plurality of tape guides pivotally mounted on said frame, a plurality of superposed slats, a plurality of brackets carried by the longitudinal edge portions of the respective slats and pivotally related thereto, supporting means on said tape guides and brackets, connecting meanspivotally mounted on said brackets, and cooperable with said supporting means and said tapes for supporting and retaining the brackets and slats in a group in inoperative juxtaposition adjacent said frame and the upper portion of said device, said connecting means being adapted to be received by the respective recesses formed in the edge portions of therespective tapes for moving the lowermost slats successively from the group and into spaced operative position adjacent the lower portion of the device as the tapes are drawn from said roller, means for urging said connecting means toward the recessed edges of said tapes, and means for tilting said supporting frame and slats laterally and in substantially parallel relation laterally with respect to each other.

10. In a device of the class described, a supporting frame having a sheave adjacent one end thereof, a spring roller rotatably mounted in said frame.\ a plurality of tapes having a plurality of spaccdlrecesses formed therein wound on said roller, a pluralityof superposed slats, a plurality of brackets carried by the respective slats and pivotally related thereto, connecting means on said brackets operatively related to the respective recesses formed in said tapes for supporting said brackets and slats thereon in spaced relation longitudinally thereof, and ,means operatively related to said sheave for rotating said supporting frame and tilting said slats laterally in substantially parallel relationship with respect to each other.

11. In a device of the class described, a supporting frame having a sheave adjacent one end thereof, a spring roller rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of tape guides and guide rollers pivotally mounted on said frame at opposite sides of said spring roller, a plurality of tapes having a plurality of spaced recesses formed therein wound on said spring roller and extending laterally therefrom at opposite sides thereof and through and over said tape guides and guide rollers, respectively. a plurality of superposed slats, a plurality of brackets carried by the respective slats and pivotally related thereto. con necting means cnsaid brackets operatively related to the respective recesses formed in said tapes for supporting said. brackets and slats thereon in spaced relation longitudinally thereof. and means operatively related to said sheave for rotating said supporting frame and tilting said slats laterallyin substantially parallel relationship with respect to each other.

12. In a; device of theclassdescribed, a supporting frame having a sheave adjacent one end thereof, a spring roller rotatably mounted in said frame, a plurality of tape guides and guide rollers pivotally mounted on said frame at oppo-,

site sides of said spring roller, a plurality of tapes having a plurality of spaced recesses formed therein wound on said spring roller and extending laterally therefrom at opposite sides thereof and through and over said tape guides and guide rollers, respectively, a plurality of superposed slats, a plurality of brackets carried by the respective slats and pivotally related thereto, connecting means on said brackets operatively related to the respective recesses formed in said tapes for supporting said brackets and slats thereon in spaced relation longitudinally thereof, a bearing member, a drum having a cable wound thereon rotatably mounted in said member, said cable being operatively related to said sheave for rotating said supporting frame and tilting said slats laterally in substantially parallel relationship with respect to each other, means for rotating said drum, and means for securing said drum in various positions of adjustment.

13. In a device ,of the class described, a supporting frame having a sheave adjacent one end thereof, a spring roller rotatably mounted in said frame, a plurality of tape guides and guide rollers pivotally mounted on said frame at opposite sides of said spring roller, a plurality of metallic tapes having a plurality of spaced recesses formed in one of their edge portions wound on said spring roller and extending laterally therefrom at opposite sides thereof, and through and over said tape guides and guide rollers, respectively, a plurality of substantially parallel superposed slats, a plurality of brackets carried by the respective slats and pivotally related there-' to, connecting means on said brackets operatively related to the respective recesses formed in said tapes for supporting said brackets and slats thereon in spaced relation longitudinally thereof, a drum having a cable wound thereon rotatably mounted in said member, said cable being operatively related to said sheave for rotating said supporting frame and for tilting said slats laterally in substantially parallel relationshipwith respect to each other, manually actuated means for rotating said drum, and spring actuated means for yieldingly securing said drum in various positions of adjustment.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tape having recesses formed there- I in, a slat, means for connecting said slat to said tape, said means comprising a bracket carried by said slat, an arm pivotally mounted on said bracket, a connecting pin adjacent one end of said arm adapted to engage'a recess in said tape, and means associated with said arm for urging bination of a flexible tape having recesses formed in one of its edge portions, a slat, means relatively movable longitudinally of said tape for connecting said slat thereto, said means comprising a bracket carried by said slat and pivotally related thereto, an arm pivotally mounted on said bracket, a connecting pin and atrip pin adjacent one end of said arm, said connecting pin being adapted to engage a recess in said tape, and means associated with said arm for urging said connecting pin toward the recessed edge of said tape, said trip pin being adapted to be engaged by a portion of an adjacent bracket formoving said connecting pin out of said recess.

16."In a device of the class':described,'.the

combination of a plurality of flexible tapes having spaced recesses formed in one of their respective edge portions,'a plurality of slats, means slidably. mounted on said tapes for connecting the respective slats thereto, said means comprising brackets carried by said slats, arms pivotally mounted on the respective brackets, a connecting pin and a trip pin adjacent one end ofeach of said arms, said connecting pins being adapted to engage the recesses formed'in the-respective-tapes, means associated with said arms for urging the connect-- ing pinstoward the recessed edge of the associated tapes and into said recesses, and a trip lug on each'of said brackets,each of said lugs having a laterally disposed notch adjacent .the recessed edge of the associated tapes, each of said lugs being adapted to engage the trip pin on the arm of its adjacent bracket for moving the connecting spacedrecesses formed in one of their respective 1 edge portions, a plurality of slats, means slidably carried by said slats and pivotally related thereto, arms pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on the respective brackets, a connecting pin and a trip pin adjacent one end of each of said arms, said connecting pins being adapted to engage the recesses formed in the respective tapes, weights on the opposite ends of said arms for urging the connecting pins toward the recessed edge of said tapes and into said recesses when the recesses are brought into register therewith, and a lug on each of said brackets, each of said lugs having-a laterally disposed notch adjacent the recessed edge of the associated tapes, each of said lugs on their respective bracket being adapted to! engage the trip pin on the arm of its respective subjacent bracket for moving the connecting pin mounted on said tapes for connecting the respective slats thereto, said means comprising brackets recess'and into said notch against the action of said weight, the unrecessed portions of the assocoated tapes cooperating with said lug for holding the connecting pin in said notch for supporting said subjacent bracket. 7

18. In a Venetian blind, means for mounting the slats thereof on a fiexible tape, comprising a strip of flexible material having upwardly extending inturned end portions adapted to engage the opposite longitudinal edge portions of a slat, and

laterally extending inturned trunnions secured to t, the opposite ends of said strip and adapted to piv-,

otally engage supporting brackets at the respective longitudinal edge portions of said slat.

19. In a device of the character described, a plurality of tapes adapted to hang from supporting rollers, a plurality of slats slidably mounted on each of said tapes by meansof brackets, and

means associated with said brackets to releasably and pivotally secure said slats relative to each of said tapes.

20. In a device of the character described, a 1

pair of tapes'extending laterally from and windable on opposite sidesof a supporting roller, a plurality of slats releasably associated with each of said tapes, and means to reduce the downwar extension of the length of one of said tapes on which said slats are releasably associated with respect to the other of said tapes.

21. In a Venetian blind, a flexible tape for the support of slats thereof having lateralnotches.

retaining the slats thereof, comprising a plurality oi brackets, each of said brackets being ad to engage subjacent brackets.

apted 23. In a device of the character described, a plurality of tapes, a plurality of slats slidable on said tapes and means to releasably support said slats equi-distantly along said tapes relative to each other;

LEE R. ROBERTS. 

